EDMONTON — Chris Streveler used all the attributes Blue Bombers fans have been excited about since he arrived in the CFL to lead his team to victory in his first start of the season Friday night.

The 24-year-old, second-year quarterback put in a gutsy effort, running with courage and authority and taking care of the football in the passing game as the Bombers beat the Edmonton Eskimos 34-28 in front of a CFL season-high crowd of 34,217 at Commonwealth Stadium.

“Quarterbacks are in charge of winning and he won the game, so it was awesome,” Bombers coach Mike O’Shea said.

“I feel great about his effort and I think he would expect nothing less and his teammates would expect nothing less and I would expect nothing less. I know he’s gonna get better and I know that’s who he is. If he played anything less than courageous he’d be disappointed in himself.”

Streveler racked up 94 yards with his feet, threw for 89 more, didn’t turn the ball over, and got a huge assist from his defence, which forced three Edmonton turnovers and scored a touchdown.

Winnipeg improved its record to 8-2, swept the season series from the 6-4 Eskimos and won in the first game since No. 1 quarterback Matt Nichols went down with a shoulder injury that will keep him out of the lineup for at least six weeks.

The Bombers remain first in the West as they head into their annual home-and-home series with the arch-rival Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“Man, Streveler was amazing,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson, who had three sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an onside kick recovery.

“His passing was amazing, his running was amazing, the pocket poise he had. Everything. I give hats off to Strev. First game as a starter this year and he had a zone.

“Brave, is a good word for Strev. He’s a warrior man.”

The feeling was mutual from Streveler about Jefferson, who simply dominated the game and made life difficult for Eskimos quarterback Trevor Harris.

“All I can say is I’m happy Willie is on our team this year,” Streveler said. “He’s a big-time player who makes a lot of big plays in big-time moments. The whole defence made great plays tonight.”

In a road game against the team many consider the best in the CFL, the Bombers proved once again why they are the top dogs in the West.

They had 182 rushing yards, 83 by running back Andrew Harris, and got four field goals from Justin Medlock, including two from outside the 50-yard line.

“It was a big game,” Medlock said. “The West is packed and we have a big stretch here and we need to play our best ball. We’ve got two big games against Saskatchewan coming up and a win tonight really helps.”

The Bombers got a touchdown on an interception return from defensive back Marcus Rios, making his first CFL start in place of the injured Mercy Maston.

Newly signed defensive end Alex McCalister, who was working on a Penske moving truck in Florida just a week ago, hit Trevor Harris as he was throwing and Rios made a great diving interception before getting up and taking it 46 yards for a major.

It was just the third interception of the year against the Eskimos and the first pick-six. Rios, a former Denver Broncos DB, has been injured for most of the season.

“This week in practice I didn’t miss a beat,” Rios said. “My coaches were on me, my teammates were on me and this is what they expected of me. When you’re name is called you’ve got to step in there and be a play-maker. You make this team, you know you’re that guy.”

The Bombers gave up 489 yards of offence, including 430 through the air, but they only allowed one late touchdown. In two games against the Eskimos this year, the Bombers allowed just one major score and 14 field goals.

Sean Whyte booted seven field goals for the second straight game against the Bombers. The Eskimos made it interesting with a late 75-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Harris to Tevaun Smith and had a chance to get the ball back on the onside kick, but Jefferson knocked the ball out of bounds.

Streveler led the Bombers on a 68-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, rushing for 34 yards and passing for 28 and then handing off to Andrew Harris for a two-yard touchdown.

He also had a six-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that finished off a nine-play, 67-yard drive. The Bombers attempted just 17 passes and completed only seven, two in the second half.

Still, for the third straight week, they were able to win without much of a passing attack at all.

“All three aspects of the game made big plays when they needed to,” Streveler said. “I think it was just a total team win.

“It makes me particularly proud. To run the ball the way we did tonight is a lot of credit to our offensive line. I can’t say enough about the way those guys work and the pride they take in their job.”

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